(TJV NEWS) A Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing a fellow high school student has reportedly raised nearly half a million dollars in donations—then used the funds to upgrade his lifestyle, according to reports from RedState and the Daily Mail.

Karmelo Anthony, 17, allegedly stabbed and killed Austin Metcalf during an altercation at a high school track meet. Witnesses say Anthony entered Metcalf’s tent uninvited, refused to leave when asked, and stabbed Metcalf when he attempted to remove him.

Following the incident, Anthony’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign for his “legal defense,” which quickly generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations. But new reports reveal that instead of using the money solely for legal expenses, Anthony’s family moved into a $900,000 gated home in Frisco, Texas, and acquired multiple vehicles, including a white Suburban and a black Acura.

This came after Anthony’s legal team successfully petitioned the court to lower his bond from $1 million to $250,000, citing financial hardship. He was released from jail shortly after the bond was reduced.

According to the Daily Mail, the estimated rent for the home is $3,500 per month, raising questions about how the donated funds were allocated and whether the defense campaign misled supporters.

The case has garnered national attention and stirred controversy online, especially as the GoFundMe campaign continues to attract donations. Critics have pointed to the spending as highly inappropriate, given the seriousness of the charges and the source of the funds.